Trying To Figure Out the Patriots 53 Man Roster

First off, this is not a roster PREDICTION. I’m not even going to try climbing inside Belichick’s nogin. This is just how I would round it out, using the Patriots historical tendencies as a guide. Also, given those tendencies, its safe to assume Bill will go external for at least one roster spot, either signing a player cut from another team, or bringing in a free agent (*cough* Dwight Freeney *cough*). I was tempted to do a 52 man roster projection to factor that in, but where is the fun in that? Without further ado, my 53 man roster projection for the Patriots 2017 season opener.

Quarterbacks (3)

Tom Brady

Jimmy Garopollo

Jacoby Brissett

I was leaning out on Brissett going into the final preseason game, but he made it too difficult for Belichick to let him go with a 5 TD performance.

Running Backs (5)

In:

Red Burkhead

Mike Gillislee

Dion Lewis

James White

James Devlin FB

Out:

DJ Foster

LeShun Daniels

Glenn Gronkowski

The Patriots have needs at other positions that keeps DJ Foster off my roster. Lack of special teams ability hurts him here.

Wide Receivers (5)

In:

Danny Amendola

Brandin Cooks

Chris Hogan

Malcolm Mitchell

Austin Carr

Out:

Cody Hollister

Devin Lucien

KJ Maye

Tony Washington

There is virtually no way Austin Carr gets to the practice squad given his preseason performance, and just has too much potential for Belichick to let him go. Devin Lucien also played well enough to earn a roster spot, but there are too many players with a similar skill set. If Mitchell opens the season on PUP or IR, it could leave him with a spot.

Tight Ends (3)

In:

Rob Gronkowski

Dwayne Allen

Jacob Hollister

Out:

James O’Shaughnessy

Sam Cotton

Given Gronk’s injury history, give me a receiving third TE (Hollister) over a blocker (O’Shaughnessy). Similar to Carr, probably can’t get him on the practice squad either.

Offensive Line (8)

In:

David Andrews C

Marcus Cannon T

Shaq Mason G

Nate Solder T

Joe Thuney G

Cam Fleming T

Ted Karras G

Conor McDermott T

Out:

Antonio Garcia (IR)

James Ferentz

Jamil Douglas

Cole Croston

Andrew Jelks

Jason King

Max Rich

LaAdrian Waddle

Antonio Garcia hasn’t been able to get on the field most of the preseason, even going back to training camp, which leads me to believe he’s heading to IR. Opens a spot for McDermott. Ferentz is a prime practice squad candidate, given his versatility and football pedigree (his dad is the head coach at Iowa).

Interior Defensive Line (4)

In:

Alan Branch

Malcom Brown

Lawrence Guy

Vincent Valentine

Adam Butler

Out:

Josh Augusta

Woodrow Hamilton

Darius Kilgo

Butler was probably the most impressive UDFA this summer. Very agile and athletic for someone his size…sort of like Vince Wilfork.

Edge Rushers (4)In:

Trey Flowers

Dont’a Hightower

Geneo Grissom

Deatrich Wise Jr

Out:

Michael Bart

Nick Usher

Keionta Davis

Hightower has been practicing with this group in recent weeks. According to PFF, Hightower’s pass rushing metrics were all top 5 last year, despite a limited sample size. With David Harris roaming the middle in 2017, look for him to be set loose at opposing QBs.

Linebackers (5)

In:

David Harris

Harvey Langi

Elandon Roberts

Kyle Van Noy

Marquis Flowers

Out:

Shea McClellin (IR)

Jonathan Freeny

Brooks Ellis

Trevor Bates

Shea McClellin seems destined for IR, if he ends up making it Langi is in trouble. Jonathan Freeny has a good history in Foxboro, but after missing all of last year it feels like they have run out of room for him on this team.

Cornerbacks (5)

In:

Malcolm Butler

Stephon Gilmore

Eric Rowe

Justin Coleman

Jonathan Jones

Will Likely

Out:

DJ Killings

Kenny Moore

Despite what I said in my column a few weeks ago, it was an unimpressive year from a UDFA corner spot. Assuming the worst regarding the Cyrus Jones knee injury, one spot should be open. If any of the trio make the team, it will likely be Will Likely (I’ll show myself out). Eric Rowe low-key had a great summer.

Safeties (4)

In:

Devin McCourty

Pat Chung

Duron Harmon

Jordan Richards

Out:

David Jones

Jason Thompson

Damarius Travis

It was an up-and-down summer for Richards, who needed to impress to stay on the team in the final year of his deal. Special teams ability puts him over the top and keeps him on the squad.

Special Teams (7)

Stephen Gostkowski

Ryan Allen

Joe Cardona

Brandon Bolden

Matthew Slater

Nate Ebner

Brandon King

The only thing that could upset a group that has been together for years is the edition of Marquise Flowers. If Belichick feels like he has enough special teamers, could swap out Brandon King for a James Ferentz or DJ Foster.